So many helped save vital EK unit
Acknowledging the effort of those who raised funds
Businesses and clubs in East Kilbride rallied around Kilbryde Hospice with fundraisers galore.
EKYM raised more than £25,000 with a 100k in 30 days challenge.
It was rolled out by the club, to their near 300 players and their families.
And day after day, mile after mile, the donations just poured in.
Workshop manager Mark Mccreadie, said: “During the last six months, probably the most strangest time in most of our lives, many facilities, businesses, organisations and industries, either fully or partially closed down.
“However, facilities like Kilbryde Hospice, did not, it could not. Indeed, it stepped up its commitment to the town.
“So many wonderful people from in or around the town did their bit to help, and none more than East Kilbride Youth Club.
“The kids and parents, walked, jogged, cycled all over, and the support they received by friends, family and neighbours of the EKYC players was absolutely incredible.
“At the end 30 days and after hundreds of thousands of miles, the grand total had met the dizzy heights of £20,000 and rising.
“From there, the club wanted to give a final push and give something back to these wonderful supporters.”
As part of this the club put up three prizes, a framed and signed ‘9 in a row’ Celtic top, a fully signed and framed Rangers top and a cocktail party day in your garden.
All donations were then entered into a grand draw.
Margaret Robinson won the cocktail day garden party.
While Stewart Dunlop was delighted to win the signed Celtic top and Stuart Cooper won the Rangers signed top.
The money generated from this was added to the overall total which took it beyond £25k.
Mark went on: “The club’s link with the Hospice dates back to the loss Susan Costello, who worked so hard for the club before she passed and was looked after so well by this extraordinary place.
“Special mention to our younger teams who really took the challenge on and they all should be very proud of their achievements. Especially young Grace Nelson from our 2010 team, who wasn’t happy at 100K, our Grace doubled up to 200K, what a wee star she is.
“Also to our 2008 coach Mark Howarth, together with his wife Tracey, daughter Elysia and son Ashton, who all carried out their own 100k challenge to kick start the club challenge and really inspired us all.”
The club would like to thank the hospice staff and everyone connected, for their help and support and everyone who supported financially during an uncertain time for everyone.
Meanwhile, some feats were more unusual than others.
Seven members of N er st on-based Damada Group carried out a ‘5 k-a-day’ challenge on foot or on bike.
And its boss even donned some weird and wonderful outfits to raise more than £5000 for the Kilbryde Hospice appeal.
That saw boss Darroch McCartney cycle around East Kilbride in an inflatable dinosaur costume.
It was just one of their weird and wonderful outfits he donned throughout – for every individual donation above £50, Darroch ran in an embarrassing outfit and for £100 or more, he ran backwards.
Darroch told the News: “We were already involved with the hospice as a corporate partner then lockdown happened and we decided we had to do whatever we could to help.”